Isoindole derivatives from o-diacylbenzenes and aromatic amines

o-Acetylbenzophenone produced yellow 1,2-diaryl-3-(aryliminomethyl)isoindole by the reaction with aromatic amines in the absence of acid. On the reaction of o-diacetylbenzene under the similar condition, three types of yellow products were obtained. The structures of these isoindole derivatives were determined and their formation mechanism was proposed.